Ants Climbing a Tree (Sichuan Spicy Vermicelli Stir-Fry)

Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

This well known Sichuan dish, also known as "ants climbing a tree," combines ground pork with mung bean vermicelli for a delicious main course.

Ingredients

2 cups mung bean vermicelli
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, or more to taste
2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorn powder
1/2 cup water
2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

1 Place vermicelli in a bowl and cover with water; soak for at least 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2 Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until you can feel the heat above the pan. Put in ground pork; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Stir in peppercorn powder until evenly distributed. Add water and bring to a boil.
3 Add drained vermicelli and mix evenly with the pork. Cook until all water has evaporated, about 5 more minutes. Taste and add more soy sauce if not salty enough for you.
4 Transfer to a serving plate and top with green onions.